STORYTIME Calling out a man for bullying me at a work event

@laurenmeisner_

37.8K followers · usually 1.3K views a post

Views

4.0K

Likes

201

Comments

Why it worked

The video uses a compelling 'storytime' format to share a relatable and empowering narrative about overcoming workplace harassment. The creator's vulnerability and strength resonate with viewers, while the unexpected twist at the end provides a satisfying resolution.

Summary

The creator recounts an experience at a work event where a man bullied her by making misogynistic comments about her work and her beliefs. She stood her ground, and surprisingly, he later apologized and expressed admiration for her. The story came full circle when her agency was asked to pitch for a major client, and the man who bullied her turned out to be the client's representative.

Structure

1Setting the scene: a work event and an encounter with a man.
2The man's aggressive and misogynistic behavior.
3The creator's confident response and refusal to be intimidated.
4The man's surprising change of heart and apology.
5A full-circle moment where the man is revealed to be a key client.
6The creator's reflection on the experience and her agency's success.

On-screen text

STORYTIME Calling out a man for bullying me at a work event Last year I was I ended up having to tell a man who I was sitting across from that he that he bullied me throughout the At the start he asked me and when I told and when I told him I have my own company and I explained what we did, he did not like He was really He was really hung up on the fact that I said we report on internet culture. And I guess the one thing that he knows about internet culture is that a big topic of conversation in this niche is the manosphere. So he started going in So he started going in on me about the manosphere. He was saying the He was saying the manosphere is a net positive for men and that it's actually sexist if women are speaking out against it. He told me he He told me he doesn't believe in the concept of the patriarchy in general. He was just asking me He was just asking me the most antagonising questions, trying to trip me trying to embarrass me in front trying to embarrass me in front of all these other people because there because there were only four other This was a very so so everyone else at the table was privy to what was happening. Big Brother is that you emergency alarm system. I thought about leaving cause I felt so frustrated and and I was also really upset that nobody else at the table like said told him told him to stop, stood up anything like that. But as a But as a young woman who's trying to build I know I know how important my reputation And I didn't want to make a big deal because because I didn't want all these other people at to to remember me like this. And I think because And I think because I really tried to hold my own in that whole situation and I didn't and I didn't let it rattle me and we continued on and we continued on with the lunch having like normal conversation. I think that made him respect me more. So as we're leaving he goes to say goodbye he goes to say goodbye to me and he said something along the lines it was really it was great to chat with We had a lot of fun, something like that. we did we did have a lot of fun after And he And he was like, what? And you you bullied me when you bullied me when I sat down and you try to antagonize me and embarrass me. You said You said offensive things about our I had no idea I had no idea how he was gonna respond. He looks at me, He looks at me, thinks for a second and bursts out laughing and he's like, I love that. And that's And that's when I was like, okay, I'm glad I didn't leave, but this but this is like a freaky man. So I actually did give feedback to the organisers of that event. maybe maybe you should not invite this man to anything in the future. Then it all came full circle last week when my friend in the industry messaged me and said, hey, my agency has a chance to pitch for this big Do you want Do you want us to include you in the pitch? of course. Like, let me know who it is. I can come up with some ideas, And the brand And the brand that he named is the number one client of the that that man who bullied me

Original caption

It really came full circle at the end😌 #femalefounder #storytime #australianmedia #startupfounder #businessadvice

More from @laurenmeisner_

Their other posts in the index, biggest breakout first.

Transcript

Last year I was I ended up having to tell a man who I was sitting across from that he that he bullied me throughout the At the start he asked me and when I told and when I told him I have my own company and I explained what we did, he did not like He was really He was really hung up on the fact that I said we report on internet culture. And I guess the one thing that he knows about internet culture is that a big topic of conversation in this niche is the manosphere. So he started going in So he started going in on me about the manosphere. He was saying the He was saying the manosphere is a net positive for men and that it's actually sexist if women are speaking out against it. He told me he He told me he doesn't believe in the concept of the patriarchy in general. He was just asking me He was just asking me the most antagonising questions, trying to trip me trying to embarrass me in front trying to embarrass me in front of all these other people because there because there were only four other This was a very so so everyone else at the table was privy to what was happening. Big Brother is that you emergency alarm system. I thought about leaving cause I felt so frustrated and and I was also really upset that nobody else at the table like said told him told him to stop, stood up anything like that. But as a But as a young woman who's trying to build I know I know how important my reputation And I didn't want to make a big deal because because I didn't want all these other people at to to remember me like this. And I think because And I think because I really tried to hold my own in that whole situation and I didn't and I didn't let it rattle me and we continued on and we continued on with the lunch having like normal conversation. I think that made him respect me more. So as we're leaving he goes to say goodbye he goes to say goodbye to me and he said something along the lines it was really it was great to chat with We had a lot of fun, something like that. we did we did have a lot of fun after And he And he was like, what? And you you bullied me when you bullied me when I sat down and you try to antagonize me and embarrass me. You said You said offensive things about our I had no idea I had no idea how he was gonna respond. He looks at me, He looks at me, thinks for a second and bursts out laughing and he's like, I love that. And that's And that's when I was like, okay, I'm glad I didn't leave, but this but this is like a freaky man. So I actually did give feedback to the organisers of that event. maybe maybe you should not invite this man to anything in the future. Then it all came full circle last week when my friend in the industry messaged me and said, hey, my agency has a chance to pitch for this big Do you want Do you want us to include you in the pitch? of course. Like, let me know who it is. I can come up with some ideas, And the brand And the brand that he named is the number one client of the that that man who bullied me